Terra Madre 2008

Welcome! This is a place for all of us Slow Food Terra Madre Vermont delegates to breakdown our experience together, share pictures, and talk about the future of Slow Food Vermont! I am a Slow Food Vermont member that just attended Terra Madre 2008 in Turin, Italy with my food community, the Community of Intervale Farmers, represented by 3 of us, Mara & Spencer Welton of Half Pint Farm and Thomas Case of Arethusa Collective Farm. We are super excited and invigorated by our experiences in Turin, and would like to offer up some thoughts on how to best unify our small but mighty state's many Slow Food members.

Vermont is already doing so much to strengthen the food fabric of our communities with organizations like the Vermont Fresh Network, NOFA, Localvores, Rural Vermont, VT FEED and so many more. There must be food-focused events being held all over the state all the time, though we are unaware of the various dinners and events due to the lack of a central location to post all of the events that are going on. And so, to that end, I have created this blog for us delegates and offer it up as a place where we can post events that you know are occuring as well as share information, recipes, fundraisers, pictures and your vision for how Slow Food Vermont can be a more coherent organization. One issue that I am aware of is that folks I talk with have heard of Slow Food and are always surprised to hear that Vermont even has convivia. I feel that this is due to the lack of events that are held and advertised. After Terra Madre, I am motivated to personally host some events down here in Burlington, and even begin a Burlington convivium if people think it would be a good idea (see poll to the right). I have long thought that since our state is so diverse that there should be lots of convivia, and that we should all meet annually to report on how the year went and what was accomplished. Or, alternatively, motivated members could hold events that they organize independently (while notifying the rest of the membership) and report on the event with pictures here on the blog. I would love to hear some feedback from other Terra Madre delegates and start the dialogue!

Now for my thoughts on Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto! I am amazed by several things concerning Terra Madre, from the organizational herculean efforts that are apparent, to the diversity of delegates representing the 153 nations to the abundance of diverse foods represented to the preciousness of the presidia to the reassurance that there are thousands of people like me out there growing good food for people, to the realization that Vermont can compete globally with the rich diversity of our products, the care with which they are made and the inherent quality that shines through in each unique food product we produce. One thing that I would love to see more of here in Vermont are events that aren't $50+ a plate (though those are fun, too!), and do more in the way of potlucks, getting together and going to a chicken supper at a church, hosting picnics, a canning day, organized visits to area producers to learn more about their products...the list can go on and on. The basic idea that I have is that there are so many food traditions and foodways that we celebrate in our communities and families - let's share them with each other; learn more, eat well and enjoy each other's company!